A deadly underground incident at the Bogoso-Prestea Mine in Ghana’s Western Region has left several illegal miners feared dead after toxic fumes spread through deep tunnels on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
The victims, believed to be galamsey operators who unlawfully entered the abandoned sections of the Heath Goldfields concession, were reportedly trapped at Levels 8 and 9—some of the deepest and most hazardous zones of the mine.
According to sources cited by MyJoyOnline, the tragedy was triggered by a suspected unauthorised underground blast, which released dangerous gases into the shafts. The noxious smoke quickly consumed the tunnels, causing severe suffocation among the miners who were operating covertly.
Emergency teams are struggling to confirm the exact number of casualties due to the secretive nature of the illegal operation. Early reports suggested at least six deaths, but some accounts estimate the toll could rise significantly, with figures ranging anywhere from 11 to as high as 30.
Mine insiders believe the suspected cause of death is asphyxiation from carbon gases—likely carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide—released after the unsanctioned explosion carried out by the illegal miners themselves.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement, but the disaster once again underscores the persistent dangers of illegal mining in Ghana and the difficulty of securing abandoned mine sites from clandestine activities.